Oh, Cherry Ripe

by Claudy Conn

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  By

  Claudy Conn

  Copyright Page

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  By Claudy Conn

  http://www.claudyconn.com

  Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

  Edited by: Karen Babcock

  Cover Artist: Kendra Egert

  All rights reserved

  Published in the United States of America

  First edition, February 2012

  Second edition, July 2012

  Third edition, November 2012

  Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Excerpt of After the Storm

  Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn

  Unedited Excerpt of Netherby Halls

  Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

  Excerpt of Lady X

  Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn

  Contents

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  Well, you haven’t found one—an angel, that is

  Also by Claudy Conn

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  ~ One ~

  ~ Two ~

  ~ Three ~

  ~ Four ~

  ~ Five ~

  ~ Six ~

  ~ Seven ~

  ~ Eight ~

  ~ Nine ~

  ~ Ten ~

  ~ Eleven ~

  ~ Twelve ~

  ~ Thirteen ~

  ~ Fourteen ~

  ~ Fifteen ~

  ~ Sixteen ~

  ~ Seventeen ~

  ~ Eighteen ~

  ~ Nineteen ~

  ~ Twenty ~

  ~ Twenty-one ~

  ~ Epilogue ~

  Excerpt: After the Storm

  ~

  Excerpt: Netherby Halls (unedited)

  ~ Prologue ~

  Excerpt: Lady X

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  “Well, you haven’t found one—an angel, that is,

  for no one has ever called me that!”

  “WHAT THE DEVIL is a beauty like you doing out here alone at night?”

  “My horse!” is what she answered as she tried reaching for Bess’s reins.

  “Stay here!” The stranger turned, moved gently towards the mare, and managed to gather her reins. Bess snorted but made no attempt to run from him as he spoke soothingly to her and led her towards Cherry.

  “Your horse,” he said softly.

  “Thank you, but you didn’t have to … if you had just let me go, I could have gotten her and been on my way,” Cheryl returned, feeling suddenly shy. Here was this fashionable, handsome rogue, and she felt she must look a fool.

  “Ungrateful girl, and after you nearly knocked me down,” he teased. His speech was only slightly slurred but enough for Cherry to raise her brow and regard him with some amusement.

  “But I did not knock you down, and you, sir, were the cause for all of it,” she answered, a smile curving her lips. “Whatever were you doing walking about in the middle of the road?” It was a counterattack to save face.

  “I? Well, I was looking for an angel, and I found one …” So saying, he had her well into his embrace, heedless of the fact that the driver of his coach watched with some keen interest at his back.

  She did not know why, but she was not frightened in the least, although as his tongue probed and found hers with an expertise that made her feel warm and willing, she was surprised at herself. She pulled away hard, and rapped him across his shoulder. “How dare you!”

  He lost his balance and released her immediately. She slipped and nearly fell when he reached out to steady her. She slapped his hands away and without thinking out her words, said, “Well, you haven’t found one—an angel, that is, for no one has ever called me that!”

  With one devilish movement he had her back in his arms, and his voice was husky and intent. “Are you not?”

  She didn’t have the opportunity to reply, for his lips were already on hers, already parting. His tongue found his way easily and teased with gentle skill. His hand pressed her body against his own, and she felt a frightening surge of desire. What was wrong with her?

  Cherry was astonished, as much at herself and her reaction as she was at his sudden move. She had certainly enjoyed her London season and though innocent was not naïve. She had certainly been kissed before, often in fact, but this was the first time she had been so totally aroused. He was a stranger—ah, perhaps the excitement of the adventure was at work here, she told herself.

  She slapped at his shoulder, and when he released her she felt his eyes look into her hers. She made a face at him and announced in a whisper, “You, sir, are taking a liberty. I am at a loss, for you are taller, stronger, and perhaps wicked enough to pursue this further. If that is what you intend … proceed, for I have always wondered what it would be like to be ravished on a London street.”

  Also by Claudy Conn

  Risqué Regencies

  Myriah Fire

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

  Taffeta & Hotspur

  Wildfire Kiss

  Runaway Heart

  Lady Bess

  (Coming soon) Mandy

  ~

  Legend Series

  Prince Prelude—Legend

  Spellbound—Legend

  Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)

  Shee Willow—Legend

  Prince in the Mist (Novella)

  Trapped—Legend

  Free Falling—Legend

  Catch & Hold—Legend

  ~

  Shadow Series

  ShadowLove—Stalkers

  ShadowHeart—Slayer

  ShadowLife—Hybrid

  ~

  Time Series

  Through Time-Pursuit

  Through Tim-Whiplash

  Through Time-Slamming

  Through Time-Frankie

  ~

  Hungry Moon Series

  Hungry Moon-Quicksilver

  Coming soon: Hungry Moon-Destiny

  ~

  Dark Love

  ~

  Lady X

  Dedication

  To my blue-eyed devil …

  Her eyes like angels watch them still;

  Her brows like bended bows do stand,

  Threatening with piercing frowns to kill

  All that attempt with eye or hand

  Those sacred cherries to come nigh,

  Till ‘Cherry-ripe’ themselves do cry.

  —Thomas Campion

  ~ One ~

  CHERYL ELTON OPENED the door to her stepmother’s sitting room and peeped around the corner of the bright and handsomely furnished room before she smiled sheepishly and asked, “You wanted to see me, Mama?”

  Lady Elton’s expression was grave and her lips set as she said in a reproving tone, “Come sit, Cheryl.”

  Cherry Elton did what she was told, not because she was an obedient miss but because she wanted to stave off the trouble she saw ahead.

  Her stepmother affectionately brushed Cherry’s long, thick, black hair away from her face and clucked. “I suppose you should start to wear your hair up most of the time now … you certainly are of age.”

  “Yes, Mama, but I like it loose.”

  Lady Elton frowned, sighed, took a moment to smooth out the skirt of her gray satin day gown, and then looked into Cherry’s
bright aqua-blue eyes. “I want you to listen to what I have to say before you get yourself in a state.”

  “Mama, I know now that what I did was not quite the thing—” Cherry hurriedly began to explain. She knew this time she was in trouble.

  “Not the thing!” spluttered Lady Elton, interrupting her. “Hopping on Lord Melville’s stallion in the middle of Hyde Park—in your walking clothes—and then riding the animal astride with your skirt hiked up as you raced Sir Peter for all the world to see … not the thing? Why, you miserable wretch of a girl! How can you sit there and look so innocent? If your father were alive …”

  Cheryl leaned forward and hugged her stepmother. “I am sorry.” But even as her stepmother might have relaxed had she left it at that, Cherry added, “Had I been a man and done that, I would have been called top sawyer … but just because I am a female—”

  “A man would not have had to hike up his skirts!” Lady Elton snapped. “Cherry love, what am I to do with you?” She put up her hand to stop her stepdaughter from answering. “Enough. You know the rules that govern society. You know that what you do affects not only your own standing but mine as well in that same society. How dare you, child.”

  This tore at Cherry. She loved her stepmother and meant her no ill. As far back as she could remember her stepmother had always loved her and her father and had been very good to her. “Mama, I didn’t think past the moment … Peter was being the devil of a tease … and there was Melville’s black looking so very fine and inviting and Melville goading me by saying he was too much horse for me to handle … and …”

  “Yes, impossible creature, I do see, but that is where a young woman of your breeding and standing demurs and shames a gentleman into behaving with more decorum towards her.” Lady Elton clucked her tongue, and Cherry could see her mama’s thoughts racing. “However, I have the solution, and amazingly enough, he still wants you.”

  “What are you talking about? He—who still wants me?”

  “I knew that he was more than mildly interested, but I never dreamed he would actually come up to scratch … and then, Lady Jersey said you would be refused vouchers to Almack’s because of your recent hoydenish behavior … That awful woman never liked me—I daresay she was looking for the chance to … but never mind, all will soon be well.”

  “Jersey said she would refuse me entrée to Almack’s?” Cherry returned on a hushed note. She always thought the haute ton hostess liked her.

  “No, no, not Sarah but the other one.”

  “Princess Esterhazy? Stiff-rumped—”

  “And that is another thing—your language. You spout terms like any man—stiff-rumped, indeed.”

  “Well, I don’t care about Almack’s anyway,” Cherry answered.

  “Then why are you pouting? This won’t do. You shan’t be admitted there this season, you dreadful girl. However, all is not lost. You will be married to the catch of the century, and they just might change their minds about you yet. No matter, you will be busy enough this season with your new life.”

  “Married?” Cherry jumped to her dainty feet. “I won’t! No—what are you talking about?” Had she indicated any partiality for any of her suitors? No, she had not. How could her stepmother do this? It was absurd. She had refused no less than five offers in the past eight months. What then—this offer had to be from a virtual stranger. Who could have applied for her hand?

  “Oh, but my girl, you will be married, and one day you will thank me for taking this high-handed method of settling you comfortably just when you were on the brink of scandal.”

  “Mama, I don’t know what you are talking about. I must tell you that I have no intention whatsoever of marrying where my heart has not thrown in the towel, and I must advise you that my heart is very much my own.”

  “And still you will be married, my darling, and he is just the man to set you to rights,” Lady Elton returned gently but firmly.

  “The devil you say!” her wayward stepdaughter retorted in just the style her stepmama deplored.

  “Now that is precisely what I mean.” Lady Elton sighed. “You cannot go about using expressions like that one. It is most unbecoming.”

  “And it is not becoming to marry a man I have never seen!” Cherry was now desperately wringing her hands. Her mama was talking absurdities, and she found it all incredible.

  “His lordship is an exceptional man. He is handsome. He is wealthy beyond imagination, with a family name that dates back to—”

  “What do I care for that? Mama, you are asking me to marry a man I have never met!” Cherry, now pacing frantically, screeched.

  “Yes, dear, but often those matches turn out very comfortably.”

  “I don’t want comfort!” Cherry snapped. “I want love … passion—”

  “That may come as well. When your dear father proposed to me, I scarcely knew him … but after we were married, all those things came—”

  “No, Mama—I want those things first!”

  “Cheryl, you know nothing—”

  “I know I won’t do this,” she said with a snort.

  “You will meet him, and this will be done. Darling, I rather think you will even like him immediately. He is most charming and has experience enough to—”

  “Ah! No doubt he is ancient.”

  “Not quite ancient.” Lady Elton’s tone was dry. “Eight and twenty, and you, my dear, are one and twenty … nearly past your prime. You are certainly past your first bloom and still on the town. It is, considering your exquisite looks and dowry, most odd.”

  “Odd? It is what I want, and I am very willing to remain single forever. Mama, this is completely ridiculous.”

  “No, darling, it is not ridiculous. I don’t know exactly what prompted him to offer for you, for quite honestly, he has never seen you either … but offer he has, and I have accepted.”

  Cherry’s mouth dropped, and it took a moment for her to recoup for the attack. “Indeed!”

  “Dearest daughter, don’t you know that I fell in love with you even before I did with your father? I want the best for you, and believe me, this is. Some of the best marriages are created in this fashion.”

  “And some of the worst. Marriage of convenience—for me? Never, Mama … never.”

  “No? Well, I am afraid you are out there, my love. His lordship will be by tomorrow morning to present himself to you, and, darling, mark me, you will marry him.”

  “I won’t.” Cherry stomped her foot and felt terror fill her mind. What was happening to her world? It was all falling around her ears. Could her stepmother force her to the altar? “This is monstrous of you!”

  “I know you think that, but, darling, it is not what you imagine. He will treat you with respect. He is wise enough to handle you gently, tenderly. Why, you will hunt with him in the North, where he has a hunting box, and you will—”

  “Mama!” Cheryl interrupted sharply. “I can’t believe you are doing this to me. You have always stood my friend. Now … before my eyes, you have turned into a stranger. Worse, you are nothing more than a … a stepmother from some horrid fairytale.” And so saying, Cherry fled the room.

  ~ Two ~

  SKYLER WESTBROOKE STOOD at his bow window, the cozy warmth of his richly appointed study at this broad back. He turned and regarded himself in the mirror, staring into his own deep blue eyes. What was he doing?

  He turned again and looked out onto the quiet London street. His right hand had formed a fist at his lips, for he was in deep concentration. His left hand unconsciously rubbed his muscular thigh where he had sustained a minor injury the day before.

  He was consumed with agitation. The time had come to make his decision final. He had asked for the hand of Miss Cheryl Elton, and he would go through with it. He would wed the unknown chit and be done.

  It was his only logical choice. At least one could not fault her heritage, her upbringing, her family connections. Hers was a fine, aristocratic line. Her father had been in politics; he had been
a Whig like himself, and this was a plus. Miss Elton was reputed to be a lovely creature—in fact, several good friends had told him she was exquisite—though he’d also heard talk about her ‘too high spirits’, but he would curb that. Marriage would bring her in tow.

  She was already one and twenty, so he wasn’t robbing the cradle. It was a good age, beyond schoolgirl notions, old enough to mother his young brothers and sisters. He had been told she had a good head on her shoulders, which was well, for she would need it when she found herself with such a large ready-made family. And Miss Elton would understand what it was to lose one’s parents, having lost both herself.

  There it was; though he had never met her, he had thought it all out and chosen her to carry on his name and his household. As to the ‘love’ he had always looked for … it just wasn’t meant to be.

  The one woman he had thought he loved had turned out to be a faithless, money-hungry, man-eating—never mind. He flicked it out of his head. The year had given him perspective. Love was not in the cards for him. He would be a good husband, and if a pretty ankle turned his head, he would be discreet …

  He walked over to his Regency writing desk, where an impressive collection of miniatures reposed in ornate silver frames. One was a portrait of his mother. On either side was framed a portrait of a man, the one on the left his father and the one on the right his stepfather. Then in order of their ages were one of each of his siblings—two half-brothers and two-half sisters. First was Freddy, seventeen and away at Eton. Next was Mary, fourteen and also away at school. The twins, Felix and Francine, were eight and totally wild. They had managed between them to dispose of one governess after another, three in the last year. Damn, but they needed a woman’s hand. They needed someone who was young enough to take them in tow … and hopefully grow to love them as he did.